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J. S. BLANKMAN'. SIGHT FOR FIRE ARMS.

N0.403,Z4Z. Patented May 14, 1889.

qwvm wmo, 1%. @W% MW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. BLANKMAN, OF WVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SIGHT FOR FIRE-ARMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,242, dated May 14, 1889.

Application filed January 10, 1889. Serial No. 295,907. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. BLANKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gun-Sights; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of the invention, which is an improvement upon a device patented to me January 8, A. D. 1889, and numbered 395,944, is to provide means for securing an accurate aim; and it consists in a sight-pin provided with a light-hole, and in two sight-points preferably secured on a single support, which may be made either vertically or laterally adj ustable, or adjustable both laterally and vertically, one of said points being made higher than the other and provided with a mark at its open end; and it further consists in matters hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation, partly in section, of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a sight-leaf and sight-pins. Fig. 3 is a perspective View in section, showing the sight-leaf applied to a gun-barrel. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a tube containing the improved sight-pins. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the sight-pins supported in a plate adapted to be directly attached to a gun-barrel, and Figs. 6 and 7. are views of modifications. I

The figure of reference 1 indicates a plate of any convenient dimensions for supporting the pins 2 and 3, the latter of which is larger than the other and is provided with a perforation in its upper end, as shown. This plate is conveniently supported upon a gun or other implement or weapon by means of a sightleaf of special character having an elongated U shape, each limb or member of which is provided with a slot, 4, adapted to receive a thumb-screw, 5, passing transversely through the plate and receiving at one end a nut by which the plate may be fastened in any desired position, the construction permitting the plate to be variously inclined. Each limb of this so-called leaf at its foot embraces a horizontal plate, 6, adapted to be secured to a gun-barrel, and is connected therewith by a pin or journal forming a hinge-joint, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which hinge allows the leaf to be folded down in a wellknown manner. A modified form is illustrated in Fig. 2, according to which ears or flanges are erected on the fixed plate 6 aiid arranged to receive between them the feet of the U-shaped leaf, in which it is secured by a thumb-screw and nut, 'or by equivalent means. In either form the opening of the leaf is limited by the ends of-its members, which bear upon the barrel at 7 in the first instance, and at 8 upon plate 6 in the other case when the leaf is about perpendicular to the same, thereby preventing any further movement; and as each limb closelyembraces the plate, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, or is embraced by flanges, as seen in Fig. 2, the leaf is thereby held. firmly against lateral movement, such as is incident to the usual hingejoint unprovided with a lateral support.

011 one or both limbs of the leaf a scale may be provided to indicate heights corresponding to different ranges or trajectories.

Plate 1 can be used with a trough-shaped piece stamped out of sheet metal or otherwise formed, the arrangement being substantially such as indicated in Fig. 4 and constituting a tube without interfering with the operation of the improved sight-pins and sightleaf. The trough and plate can be secured together by pins, or in any well-known manner.

At 10 in plate 6 (see Fig. 3) is shown an elongated slot, through which a screw is passed into a suitable screw-threaded aperture in the barrel. This screw holds the plate in position, and when slightly loosened permits the plate to revolve about the pin or screw 11 and move laterally to the extent of the slot 10. Adjacent to this slot is a scale to indicate an adjustment of the sight-pin support to c0rrespond with different velocities of the wind. The front of the plate may be moved slightly to the right or left, according to the direction and velocity of the wind, or according to the drift of the projectile. This construction also enables the marksman to readjust the device to correct any error of adjustment on the part of the manufacturer, as if he finds in use that the weapon habitually carries either to the left or right he can rectify the error by suitably moving plate 6. So far as this function and several uses of the present improvement in sight-pins are concerned, they can be secured by attaching the plate or tube 1 directly to the barrel, as indicated in Fig. 5, and providing it with the screw-fastenings and the elongated slot and scale, or the pins may be separately attached to the gun.

The perforation in the longest of the sightpins, above described, does not ordinarily serve as what is sometimes called a peepsight. tion be large enough to permit objects to be seen therethrough, as its function is primarily that of a mark orindex to show to the marksman that his aim is perfect. If it permits a ray or two of light to pass, so as to indicate that it is above the other pin, its object is secured. A simple enlargement, particularly if of a light or distinguishing color, would serve the desired purpose nearly aswell as does such enlargement provided with a perforation. If desired, the enlargement might be coated with a vitreous or with a phosphorescent substance. In operation, when the marksman has secured a general view of his mark along the line of the plate or through the tube, as the case may be, he will perfect his aim by bringing the perforation or equivalent mark just above a line passing from the eye through the top of the other pin, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the instant that said mark is visible the aim is correct.

The pin-supporting plate is used in c011- nection with the U-shaped device or sightleaf in long-range arms to permit a view of the mark above the barrel, though the muzzle of the latter is elevated to give a suitable trajectory. This sight leaf is preferably hinged, and it is provided with a scale marked to denote suitable elevations of the pin-supporting plate to correspond with different trajectories.

As already stated, the pin-supporting plate can also receive a lateral adjustment to suitably adapt the sighting device to the variation of the ball from a direct line caused by the Wind or by the usual drift of the proj ectile by means of a screw and slot, which is preferably located in the forward end either of plate 6 or of the pin-supporting plate 1, in calse the latter is attached directly to the barre So far as respects the primary function of the two sight-pins, one of which is made longer and provided with a mark, it is independent of any particular location or of any particular means of connecting them with the gun; and the particular location, form, and proportion of other parts is unessential, provided the principle of operation of the improvement is not departed from.

It is not essential that the perfora-,

The pins can be placed near the breech of the gun and comparatively near to each other, by which location and arrangement they are made easily visible, though their size is so small as not to seriously obstruct the vision. So located, they co-operate advantageously with a muzzle-sight, as indicated in Fig. 1, though such sight is not necessarily employed; but such location of the pins is not necessary to secure all the advantages of my improvement, as the operation would be substantially the same were they placed near the muzzle or at an intervening point. They may also be placed on the side of the barrel, as indicated in Fig. 7, in which a plate, 6, is represented as secured to the gun by screws, (shown in dotted lines,) and the pin-bearing plate 1 is made adjustable about a pivot, a scale and pointer being provided at the rear of the same.

In case the U-shaped slotted leaf is employed, it may be made suitably curved toward the muzzle, as indicated in Fig. 6, so that the mere raising of the sight-pin plate by moving its bearings along in the curved slots will vary the inclination of the plate with respect to the barrel of the gun, and the proper relative position or angle be always maintained without turning the plate on its bearings. Thus, for example, when the muzzle is raised to secure a desired trajectory, the pin-plate is also raised, its side extensions or bearings being suitably moved in the slots. The curvature of said slots gives the necessary angular direction of the plate with respect to the barrel.

In some cases a notched sight or equivalent device might be substituted for the rear pin, particularly if the forward pin is provided with a light-hole, as a mark to indicate when the aim is finally perfected, and the rear pin or notch may be dispensed with altogether without departing from the invention as respects the pin provided with the light-hole, which is in itself a material and distinct part of the improvement.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In combination with a gun or like implement, two sight-pins secured to a laterally-adjustable plate, substantially as specified.

2. In combination with a gun or like implement, two sight-pins secured to a laterally adjustable plate provided with a scale to indicate the lateral adjustment, substantially as specified.

3. In combination with a gun or like implement, two sight-pins secured in a plate having a set-screw or journal, the U-shaped sight-leaf having two members provided with slots to receive the screw, and having their feet in contact laterally with a plate secured to the gun and having a hinge-connection with said plate, substantially as specified.

4. In combination with a gun or like im- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in plement, a vertically-adjustable plate earrypresence 'of two Witnesses. ing sight-pins, and a sight-leaf hinged to a JOHN S BLANKMAN.

plate secured to the gun and bearing against 5 the side or edge of said plate, substantially as Witnesses:

specified, whereby said leaf is held against BENJ. R. CATLIN, lateral movement. EDWARD O. J ONES. 

